Lifetime Classics Challenge discussion

Goal: 6

1. 1984 by George Orwell

Good idea. I've been meaning to read that.

2. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

This banned novel opens in 632 A.F. (After Ford) or 2540 A.D.. It is a brave new world where all people are happy (especially through the use of the drug soma), they get what they want, and they never want what they can't get get (through the use of psychological conditioning and sleep learning) when created in the laboratory for the various social castes since natural reproduction has been banned. Although science and technology has created this world; it is carefully controlled. Critical thinking is prohibited and religion, art, and literature is banned since they might produce unhappiness. Bernard, a psychologist in the Alpha (ruling) caste is becoming increasing discontented and decides to take a vacation to a Savage Reservation in New Mexico. He meets Linda who is living on the reservation because several years ago when also on vacation, she discovered she was pregnant and was too embarrassed to return. Her son, John, is now grown and wants to return with Bernard to see this "brave new world," which he has never known. However, sometimes the grass isn't always greener.

Although I enjoyed the book, it included so much social commentary, that I found some parts a bit slow going.

3. The Forever War by Joe Haldeman

When Vietnam vet Joe Haldeman wrote The Forever War in 1974, the U.S. had been involved in a conflict in Southeast Asia for approximately 14 years. The Vietnam War would not end until the next year. I'm sure that Haldeman's experiences influences his writing.

The novel's protagonist is William Mandella, a highly intelligent physics students who is drafted in 1997 into an elite troop of similarly skilled recruits to fight the Taurans, an alien race who was discovered when they suddenly attacked several ships transporting interplanetary colonists. The motivation behind this heinous act is unknown since humans are unable to communicate with the Taurans.

The initial military campaign last two years but since wormholes are used to travel at speeds nearing light speed, relativistic effects occur; he returns to an Earth 20 years in the future. Finding the return to civilian life difficult, especially since jobs are issued by the government only to those in financial need (Mandella has been accumulating a salary for the twenty Earth years that he has been gone), he re-enlists as an officer.

Haldeman's novel is a science fiction award-winning classic written with a touch of humor about an extended war fought with no clear purpose. If one is a long-term science fiction fan or new to science fiction, you must read this classic.

4. The Stranger by Albert Camus
★★★★peanut

The protagonist's name in this French classic is Meursault, a French Algerian. Meursault is estranged from his emotions and morality. He is apathetic about life events. He has friends and a girlfriend; however he is emotionally shallow. During a weekend vacation on the Algerian coast shortly after burying his mother who he had placed in a nursing home, he kills an Arab man. Although Meursault claims it was in self-defense, he finds him accused of murder.

I thought his trial was less about whether he committed the crime or not, but rather on the character of Meursault's humanity. Meursault is the stranger referenced by the title, a man who is a stranger from his self and the rest of society.

5. Boy's Life by Robert McCammon
★★★★★ + ♥

Cory Mackenson has had more adventures in his 12th year than many have had in their entire life. The novel begins in 1961 during the beginning of the Civil Rights movement. While on a dairy route with his father, the two witness a car in front of them drive into Saxon's Lake, where it begins to sink into the abyss. When his father jumps in to rescue the driver, he discovers a deceased white man who had been beaten and strangled handcuffed to the steering wheel. This is only the first of many notable events in one year of this boy's young life.

Cory is very imaginative boy who enjoys writing stories, which this event became one. It also motivates him to investigate the events around this event when the police are unable to solve or unwilling to investigate. The reader is introduced to many colorful, well-written, characters in Zephr, a small Alabama town. The town is so well described that I could easily imagine riding my bike with Cory as we navigated the town. The novel incorporates elements of magical realism, which may be why this novel won the World Fantasy Award in 1992. The primary character's childhood was congruent with mine; therefore many of the cultural artifacts mentioned in the novel, I experienced, which made this novel more enjoyable. Cory's return to Zephr as a married adult with children was particularly poignant as I could connect with his experience of going home again as I engaged in a similar pilgrimage recently after a 45 year absence.

This novel is a new favorite for the year and Mr. McCammon is a new author for me. I plan to read his other books.

John wrote: "4. The Stranger by Albert Dumas
★★★★

The protagonist's name in this French classic is Meursault, a French Algerian. Meursault is estranged from his emotions and morality. He is apathetic about lif..."

I think you mean Albert "Camus." :)

Terris wrote: "John wrote: "4. The Stranger by Albert Dumas
★★★★

The protagonist's name in this French classic is Meursault, a French Algerian. Meursault is estranged from his emotions and morality. He is apathe..."

Oops! I guess I had the Three Musketeers on the brain.

John wrote: "Terris wrote: "John wrote: "4. The Stranger by Albert Dumas
★★★★

The protagonist's name in this French classic is Meursault, a French Algerian. Meursault is estranged from his emotions and moralit..."

Haha!! I love Dumas -- have you read "The Count of Monte Cristo"? One of my favorites of all time!! :)

Terris wrote: "John wrote: "Terris wrote: "John wrote: "4. The Stranger by Albert Dumas
★★★★

The protagonist's name in this French classic is Meursault, a French Algerian. Meursault is estranged from his emotion..."

I have it as an e-book in my library; however, I haven't read it yet.

John wrote: "Terris wrote: "John wrote: "Terris wrote: "John wrote: "4. The Stranger by Albert Dumas
★★★★

The protagonist's name in this French classic is Meursault, a French Algerian. Meursault is estranged f..."

If you're anything like me, you probably have a long list to get to! But I highly recommend it. I also enjoyed The Three Musketeers!